Hotdogs, Wieners, and Beyond

how do we have so much hotdog content...

Here is the audio version of this letter - we go off script, so listen at your own risk. If you enjoy the audio version, let us know because it’s embarrassing and I need an ego boost.

just a bunch of hawt dawgs

Knock, Knock. Who’s There? Dat Dawg.

I have reasons to believe that my time with a boyfriend is coming to an end. It has a lot to do with a hotdog. On Friday, Julie and I could not stop yelling “I got dat DAWG in me” at each other while recipe testing hotdogs - it’s called method acting. The more it was said, the more passionate we got. At the peak of my performance, I was getting up in Julie’s face, letting her know that I indeed have that dawg in me and she better not forget it. It was my most passionate attempt.

Unfortunately, my boyfriend was standing at the door watching me (what happened to texting that you are here?!?? This isn’t the 1900’s). I shriveled up in embarrassment but then thought, “it’s better for him to know now that I GOT DAT DAWG IN ME.”

It’s actually extremely freeing - once you start saying it, it’s hard to stop. It fits in nicely with our recipes this week because as you are eating a hotdog you quite literally have that dawg in you. Cheers to hawt dawgs.

If I’m single soon (shoutout Selena) well, it’s actually your fault since I was making these hotdogs for you!!! If you have any ounce of remorse you’ll make this recipe and then ask me out.

get this dawg in me

Julie’s Life as a Hotdog Salesman

I would never miss an opportunity to tell an embarrassing story about Julie so here we go… one summer in high school while both of us were working at a pizza place, the owner demoted Julie to a weird hotdog stand they were opening up. She was going to have to ride around on a bike delivering hotdogs in a sailor’s hat.

Considering Julie got fired from every job she ever had, luck was on her side! She was yet again fired before hopping on a bike with a pack of hotdogs in the sidecar. Crazy how her life could have taken a totally different trajectory - hotdog connoisseur? Wow, the blackmail I could have had. Then again, here we are selling you on hotdogs, so I guess you can never really escape your fate!

For some reason (before the firing), everyone (me, included) had to attend a hot dog training session at the new establishment. I think it was some sort of sick power trip, but whatever. At this training, there were 10 of us behind a skinny counter listening to a large man describe how to add relish to a hotdog - something that really makes you question your existence. Understandably, my body started shutting down and I was about to pass out. My face went ghost white and I was slowly sinking, unable to stand. Julie covered for me as I laid my head on the counter praying for death by hotdog. I survived, but not a day goes by where I don’t think of that incident.

Since people think we are the same person and treat us as such, I was never called back in to work at the pizza place. I technically still work there!!!!

Hotdog Risk Taking

As we were making the sauces for these recipes, we discovered that our spicy brown mustard was expired by 3 years (yes three). It had never been opened so we thought there might still be a chance it’s fine. Neither one of us wanted to try it because we feared it would sabotage our evening plans. We argued about who was more at risk:

1. Someone going on a second date

2. Someone going to their bf’s house to meet his mom

Things to note: on the second date, there would be multiple espresso martinis involved. At the bf’s house, the bathroom is within earshot.

The second dater tried it (took one for the team!!) and it was not good. That is why the recipe calls for yellow mustard and I still have a boyfriend (for now).

the holy trinity

More Hotdogs = Less Stress

The inspiration behind the recipes this week is our Zayde, who’s birthday was on June 7th. He is someone we always looked up to because he knew how to enjoy the simple things in life. Give him a sausage hero (his favorite) and a bench to sit on, and he would be more than content. So we take sausage heroes (and hotdogs) to be our lawfully wedded as a tasty reminder to live in the moment and enjoy life.

me n Z

The most classic sausage hero has caramelized peppers & onions. To spice ours up, we added a horseradish honey mustard (you know I got the sauce) and sliced scallions. Try serving that at the stand!!! (it went out of business immediately).

Zayde also loved Reubens (smart man) so for our second rendition we did a Reuben Style Brat. Everything keeps coming back to cabbage, but there’s nothing better than a pile of sauerkraut drenched in thousand island dressing (this is actually an insane statement to make but I’m doubling down on it). We broiled this one with some melted cheese on top and it was insanely good.

Finally, we made a classic NY hot dawg with a bit of Chicago swag (no ketchup). Our mustard bottle had a mind of it’s own which is why it’s taking over the photos.

Pick your wiener and enjoy!! (sorry Zayde)

Hot Dogs 3 Ways

Sausage & Pepper Brats

the brat of the summer

Sausage & Pepper Brat Recipe:

• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced thinly

• 1 white or yellow onion, sliced thinly

• 4 Beyond Brats

• 4 hot dog buns

• Horseradish Honey Mustard Sauce:

  • 1/4 cup vegan mayo

  • 2-3 teaspoons horseradish (without the liquid)

  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard (or dijon)

  • 1 teaspoon honey

  • Salt and pepper

• Scallions

Method:

1. Sauté the peppers and onions: In a pan on medium high heat, add the onions. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add the peppers and cook for another 4-5 until slightly caramelized but not mushy.

2. Cook the brats: Cook the Beyond Brats according to the package instructions.

3. Make the Horseradish Honey Mustard Sauce: Whisk together vegan mayo, horseradish, yellow mustard, honey, salt and pepper.

4. Assemble: To each hot dog bun, add the brat, peppers and onions, horseradish honey mustard sauce, and scallions.

Reuben Style Brat

I could house 4 of these, easy

Reuben Style Brat Recipe:

• 4 Beyond Brats

• 4 hot dog buns

• Melted vegan butter (optional)

• Sauerkraut (we used Eden Foods)

• Shredded vegan mozzarella cheese (Daiya)

• Thousand Island Dressing

  • 1/4 cup vegan mayo

  • 1 heaping tablespoon ketchup

  • 1 heaping tablespoon pickle relish (or finely chopped pickles)

  • Tiny splash of white vinegar

  • Salt and pepper

Method:

1. Cook the sausages: Cook the Beyond Brats according to the package instructions.

2. Assemble and broil: Brush the hot dog buns with melted butter (optional). Then add the cooked brat, sauerkraut, and a sprinkle cheese shreds to each one. Broil for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and the bun is toasty.

3. Make the Thousand Island Dressing: Whisk together vegan mayo, ketchup, pickle relish, white vinegar, salt and pepper. Drizzle on top of the brats.

Classic NY Dawg

the mustard bottle had a mind of its own

Classic NY Dawg Recipe:

• 4 Field Roast Frankfurters

• 4 hot dog buns

• Sauerkraut (we used Eden Foods)

• 1-2 fresh jalapeños, sliced (or use tamed pickled jalapeños for less spicy)

• Yellow mustard

Method:

1. Cook and assemble: Cook the frankfurters according to the package instructions. Place each in a hot dog bun with sauerkraut, fresh jalapeños, and yellow mustard.